MONROVIA – Sylvanus Kelvin Morris, Chairman of the Clubs Presidents Association of Liberia (CPAL), has mounted a vigorous defense of recent financial contributions to Liberian football by state-owned enterprises, warning that “unwarranted attacks” on corporate sponsors threaten the survival of local clubs.
By: Christopher C. Walker, christopherc.walker@frontpageafricaonline.com
Morris’ remarks were a direct rebuttal to Cassell Anthony Kuoh, a presidential aspirant in the upcoming Liberia Football Association (LFA) elections.
Kuoh recently accused the Government of Liberia of meddling in the electoral process through high-profile donations.
Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Kuoh, the president of FC Fassell, questioned the timing of contributions from the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) and the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC).
He suggested the funds were a calculated move to swing the April 18 LFA polls in favor of incumbent President Mustapha Raji.
“Honestly, there’s too much influence from the government in the current ongoing LFA election,” Kuoh alleged. “A Maritime boss coming out in an electoral period giving $250,000 to LFA., We are yet to find out from the LFA whether that money actually went to the LFA account.”
Kuoh further alleged that the funds could be diverted to Raji’s campaign as “payback” for political appointments within football committees.
He dismissed the sudden interest from state entities, noting that some had shown little support for the sport in previous years.
Amos Tweh has been here for years and never once donated money to a single football team. Now he is coming and donating $25,000 to women’s football. Come on we are not stupid around here,” Kuoh told reporters. “We understand the terrain. This is election period. People are trying to buy sentiments.”
A Threat to Sponsorship
However, CPAL Chairman Morris dismissed Kuoh’s assertions as “damaging” to the interests of clubs that rely on institutional support to stay afloat.
“There is no set time for anyone to make donations to football,” Morris countered. “Attacking these entities is tantamount to attacking the progress of the very clubs you all want to lead.”
Morris emphasized that the vast majority of Liberian clubs operate on shoestring budgets and depend on corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to cover essential costs, including player welfare and transportation.
“We understand some of you do not depend on these sponsorships, but the vast majority of our clubs depend on them,” Morris noted, pointedly addressing Kuoh’s personal wealth.
The CPAL Chairman warned that politicizing such donation could frighten away the few remaining investors in the league.
He cited the loss of previous major sponsors as a cautionary tale.
“We lost the Orange sponsorship because of these same unwarranted attacks, and we are not going to allow anyone to jeopardize the little that is coming from these entities,” Morris said.
Call for Decorum
Morris concluded by expressing gratitude to LPRC and LiMA, urging other corporate citizens to emulate their support for the national game.
He called on all aspirants to keep “dirty politics” away from the financial pillars of the sport.
“You all stop attacking entities that are donating to football in the name of playing politics,” he stressed.
The escalating war of words highlights the high stakes of the April 18 LFA elections. As the date nears, the debate over transparency, government involvement, and the commercial viability of Liberian football continues to take center stage.
